Columbus man headed to federal prison on gun charge

A Columbus man is heading to federal prison for 41 months after being convicted of charges including illegal firearms dealing.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Indianapolis announced this week that 58-year-old William Beard sold or transferred more than 320 unlicensed firearms. Over the course of four years between 2013 and 2017, Beard sold guns at locations including gun or trade shows and not once conducted a background check or completed the required ATF paperwork, required of a federal firearms licensee, according to the U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler.

Beard was convicted of Unlicensed Firearms Dealing and Falsification of Records in Bankruptcy. Authorities say when Beard filed for bankruptcy, he failed to disclose his income from selling and trading firearms, and did not include the information that he had been indicted in federal court.

Authorities say that 23 of the weapons Beard sold have been recovered from crime scenes including armed robberies and warrant searches for drugs.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.